Bonera said: "Can 2014 be Balotelli's year? It all depends on Mario. I think the moment has come for him to put this desire to prove himself the best into practice.

"Injuries are a big reason for our last few horrible months, but cannot be an alibi, nor can the situation within the club hierarchy. Unfortunately the moment of change in the club coincided with a lack of results, but there is no correlation.

"We all know that we are worth more than this. We've got half a season left to prove it."